Work Begins on FutureBio Project

Work Begins on FutureBio Project Work under the FutureBio project, supported by Turkey's National Agency and coordinated by Pamukkale University, has begun following an opening meeting. The opening meeting of the "FutureBio" project, with the short title "Let's Use Biodegradable Plastic For The Future - Haydi, Gelecek İçin Biyobozunur Plastik Kullanalım", was attended by the Pamukkale University team comprising project coordinator Associate Professor Arzum Işıtan from the Faculty of Technology, Professor Cem Gök from the Faculty of Technology, Lecturer Mine Sulak from the Faculty of Education, Professor Fatma Kırmızı from the Faculty of Education, Lecturer Volkan Onar from the Faculty of Technology, and Instructor Ramazan Çağrı Kutlubay. Support was also provided by Faculty of Technology Dean Professor Osman Nuri Ağdağ and Pamukkale Technopark Management Inc. Deputy Director Mesut Aydınlı. Representatives from Kırklareli University and Selçuk University from Turkey; Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Cosvitec Societa Consortile Arl, Universita Degli Studi Di Trento, and Indivenire srl from Italy; Universitatea Technica Cluj-Napoca from Romania; CTRL Reality Oy from Finland; Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg from Germany; and University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland from Switzerland as external stakeholder were also present at the meeting. On the first day of the project meeting, the Hazar Team, Ulaş Rocket Team composed of Pamukkale University students, and undergraduate and graduate students working on bioplastics also participated. Project Coordinator Associate Professor Arzum Işıtan stated that project planning work has been completed and a six-month work schedule has been established, and conveyed the project's objectives and details as follows: "Today, polymeric materials are the third most widely used human-made material after steel and concrete, with annual production exceeding 600 million tonnes. On the negative side, polymeric materials constitute a significant portion of solid waste deposited in solid waste landfills. According to EU reports, packaging made from plastic materials comprises approximately 8 percent of total waste in landfills. Furthermore, microplastics, which are small particles less than 5 mm, can remain undecomposed for many years and, due to their very small size, can easily seep into water sources and oceans. For polymeric material waste, reuse, combustion for energy production, composting, or biological decomposition in soil are employed. To reduce all the negative effects caused by polymeric materials, the European Union has developed 'A Plastics Strategy for a Circular Economy' and 'Plastics Waste: A European Strategy to protect the environment, defend our citizens and strengthen our industries'. According to European Commission reports, the European Union produces approximately 25.8 million tonnes of polymeric material waste annually, and only 6 percent of polymeric material products are used as recycled plastic. Polymeric material waste is increasing alarmingly with 'single-use' polymeric materials," he said. In his remarks, Associate Professor Işıtan also addressed the targets of the FutureBio Project: "Although plastics derived from organic matter, reusable and biologically degradable by microorganisms are an important part of these strategies, today they constitute less than 1 percent of total polymeric materials. Biodegradable polymers should be developed and used for a more livable and greener world. For a more livable world, reducing carbon emissions, particularly within the 'Green Deal' signed by our country, is especially important. For this reason, the project idea was developed to promote organic-based bioplastics instead of carbon-based traditional plastic materials that are difficult to dispose of, to increase their use, and to raise public awareness about environmental pollution and environmental protection. With this project, it is aimed to develop high-technology-content training modules for university students and industrial workers, to organize training activities for academic personnel and students, and to increase awareness among the general public," he said.